Letter received by Banks from the Navy Office, 9 February1799 (Series 19.23) - No. 0007

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the southward again as did the Convoy   next morning (Saturday) I stood in and made Dunnose [Isle of Wight] bearing N.W. the wind being N. by E. I used every endeavor to get to Windward with the remainder of the Convoy most of which had parted company in the different Gales; all the other Ships in company were considerably to windward of us on Sunday​ morning except one West Indiaman which was to leeward under single reefed Topsails, Courses and maintopgallant Sails whilst the Porpoise could with difficulty carry close reefed Topsails, Foresail Main and Mizen Stay sail, owing to her extreme crankness, which by no means made the Sail I have already described advisable to carry.  had I not been anxious to get the Ship to an Anchorage & its being Daylight.
Having